Ferndale Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident can happen to anyone, even the most careful drivers out there. Unfortunately, just because you are a responsible motorist does not mean that other people are. Negligent drives cause car accidents every day because of drunk driving, bad driving habits, disregard for traffic laws, and more. Victims of car accidents often end up with debilitating injuries and towering medical bills. It can be incredibly frustrating if you are injured in a car crash because someone else was negligent.

Fortunately, our lawyers can help. We have represented countless plaintiffs injured in car crashes and other accidents, and we are ready to put that experience to use by helping you with your case. We will leave no stone unturned when gathering evidence and fight for you in court until all legal options for your claim are exhausted.

To get a free analysis of your situation from our team of car accident lawyers, reach out to Rice, Murtha, & Psoras by calling (410) 694-7291.

What Causes Car Crashes in Ferndale?

No two car accidents will happen for exactly the same reasons. There is a multitude of factors that can result in car crashes that can differ in an infinite number of ways. For the purposes of your car accident lawsuit, it is very important to sit down and talk to our car accident attorneys and determine exactly what contributed to your collision taking place. This is because you can only hold liable those who actually caused your injuries. So, if you sue a party that had nothing to do with your car crash, you will lose in court.

Speeding

Drivers who speed are more likely to get into accidents because they have less control over their vehicles and less time to react to sudden changes when they are driving. Accordingly, all 50 states have laws against driving over the speed limit.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving, or driving while using drugs, is extremely dangerous and illegal in every state. Intoxication leads individuals to make less sound, more aggressive decisions, and many drunk people are not able to react as quickly as sober ones. All of the effects of drugs and alcohol are undesirable for a driver.

If you file a civil car accident case against a drunk driver, there will also likely be a criminal trial. That trial will take priority over the civil one, so you should discuss that potential situation with our lawyers when building your case.

Ignoring Traffic Signals

Running a red light, going through stop signs, and ignoring other road signage is dangerous to other motorists and can lead to accidents.

Distracted Driving

In this day and age, there are more distractions while out on the road than ever. Texting, getting engrossed in a call, focusing on a navigation system, and other electronic distractions can take a driver’s attention away from the road at a crucial moment, resulting in car accidents.

Vehicle Issues

Car accidents are also caused by things outside of a motorist’s control. Crashes can happen when something goes wrong with the car itself. When a defective vehicle causes an accident, you can sue the designer or manufacturer responsible for the defect.

Road Conditions

A roadway in a state of disrepair can also cause car crashes. Potholes, defective or broken guardrails, and uncleared debris can all lead to a car accident happening.

In cases where you believe that your crash was caused by a road issue, you will want to sue the entity responsible for maintaining that road. Typically, this is a government body. There are slightly different rules for suing government entities that can make doing so tricky. However, there are also other parties you may be able to file a claim against like companies contracted out to do road work.

Damages in Ferndale, Car Accident Lawsuits

When you file a civil case, you do so with the goal of getting the defendant to pay you damages. In law, damages are how courts compensate plaintiffs for their injuries. The idea is to “make the plaintiff whole” again. Realistically, the extent of a plaintiff’s injuries often makes this a literal impossibility, so monetary compensation gets used as a proxy. You can base your damages on different factors affecting your situation. Broadly speaking, damages can be categorized as economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic Damages

These damages are derived from items with a quickly ascertainable economic value. Examples of things that fall into this category would include medical expenses, property damages, and lost wages. Lost wages, in particular, can take several different forms. First, you can be compensated for missed pay when you are recovering instead of working. Second, you can get damages based on a pay differential if you had to take a job that pays less after you were injured. Finally, if you are not able to work anymore, you can get damages based on what your future income is expected to be.

Non-Economic Damages

On the other hand, non-economic damages are less immediately obvious. This category covers things like pain and suffering. It is difficult to put a price tag on, say, how much a broken bone hurts or the mental toll of being in a car accident. Accordingly, you will need to show and convince the court of the worth of non-economic damages items.

Punitive Damages

A large portion of the damages in your lawsuit will be based on your condition. Punitive damages are different. They are based on the actions of the defendant. Punitive damages are only awarded when the plaintiff can prove that the defendant was more than just negligent.

Chat with Our Team of Ferndale, MD Car Accident Lawyers Today

Let our car accident attorneys analyze your claim for free by calling Rice, Murtha, & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.